VIBE auction raises $105,000

Records were broken at the Volunteers Interested in Benefiting Everyone’s fourth annual fundraising auction as the organization raised $105,000, beating their previous best by $10,000.

The money raised by the event held in The Forum went to McDonough District Hospital and the Macomb Fire Department — each received $52,500 — for new projects that will benefit the community.

“I’m overjoyed, it touches my heart each and every year to see people getting in the same boat with me and helping out people in McDonough County,” VIBE President Kassie Courson said. “I just want to thank everybody, everyone all year long that has sent in a check or donated an auction item.”

All of the items up for auction were donated by individuals and businesses throughout the county and included a trip for two to the 48th annual Country Music Awards, an autographed Derrick Rose jersey, a sailing trip, a ride along with the McDonough Sheriff’s Department, and a guitar signed by Bret Michaels.

The auction was held by Monte Lowderman of Lowderman Auction Company, who said that no other benefit he’d seen in the area had raised as much as VIBE’s auction, according to Courson. Before the event, VIBE had raised $239,000 from the auction events. This event broke past the quarter million mark, the item to do so being

Ron Courson’s “famous seafood soup” which was won by Susie Nichols for $1,474.Uniquely, a Pepsi machine decked out with VIBE decals was auctioned off and purchased for $4,000 anonymously. The machine will be placed in McDonough District Hospital where 25 percent of the proceeds from the machine will go to VIBE.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can to help VIBE grow and raise awareness for the organization,” Trent Barkley of Pepsi refreshment services said. “This is refreshment services Pepsi… this is the Macomb plants first time doing something like this where part of the proceeds go to a not-for-profit organization.”

McDonough District Hospital will use their portion of the funds to add a “VIBE family comfort room” to their emergency services expansion where family that needs to discuss something with physicians, contact their family, or need personal space. The room will provide a place for family to separate from the waiting room.

“(We have) extreme gratitude to VIBE and all of the supporters who came out to support the event allowing the donation to construct and furnish the comfort room in the upcoming ER expansion,” MDH CEO Kenny Boyd said. “It will be a nice addition for family members that need it and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Macomb Fire Department purchased an inflatable fire safety house with a portion of the fund — given in advance to the department by the city — where kids can visually learn the ins and outs of fire safety.

Additionally, the funds will go towards the purchase of new stat-x gas equipment. The stat-x gas essentially functions like a grenade that can be lobbed into areas on fire. A fine potassium mist can extinguish the fire without causing any harm to those inside. Fire Chief Andy Taylor said they intend to put the gas on every firetruck and into some police cars for the occasions when the police arrive before the fire department.

“VIBE is a great organization to have for projects like this where we just can’t find funding for it anymore,” Taylor said. “VIBE really fills a void here in McDonough County. When I first heard about the grant process for VIBE, I never envisioned getting as much money as I did from them.”

Additionally, the event raised $2,146 for Shop with a Cop — an event designed to purchase kids new clothes and toys around Christmas time.

Funds were also raised for relief in Washington, Ill, totaling up to $1,107. Taking the three separate funds into account, VIBE raised a grand total of $108,163.

“It’s just unbelievable the support I have gotten since I’ve started VIBE,” Courson said. “I could not have done any of this without our amazing community. I’m proud to be born and raised in McDonough County.”

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